Today we’d like to introduce you to Marlon Williams.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve been a software developer and entrepreneur since 2001, founding multiple startups and successfully exiting one before I ever touched blockchain. About 12 years ago, I turned my focus to decentralization because I saw its potential to create opportunities where traditional systems had failed.
When I moved to Atlanta five years ago, I realized the city had talent and ambition but lacked a true blockchain ecosystem. That’s why I launched the Atlanta Blockchain Center, not as a side project, but as a full-scale effort to position Atlanta as a global leader in this space. Since then, we’ve hosted more than 200 weekly events, incubated 38 startups, and built programs connecting founders, students, and policymakers. At the heart of it all is our 10in5 mission: to make Atlanta a top-10 hub for blockchain innovation within five years.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I can honestly say my journey has been anything but smooth. Like most entrepreneurs in emerging industries, I’ve faced challenges with limited resources, skepticism, and even serious cybersecurity threats. In the early days, I spent years evangelizing blockchain to rooms that weren’t always ready to hear the message.
More recently, I experienced firsthand how vulnerable innovators can be when I was targeted in a sophisticated fraud scheme.
But those moments didn’t break me; they hardened my resolve. They reminded me that in blockchain, education and security are just as critical as innovation. Every obstacle has been fuel to double down on building not just companies, but a trusted, culturally relevant ecosystem for blockchain here in Atlanta.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Atlanta Blockchain Center is the city’s hub for blockchain education, incubation, and innovation. We exist to create access for communities that have historically been underserved, offering education, mentorship, and resources that help founders and investors thrive in Web3.
What sets us apart is our cultural credibility and community-first approach. We don’t just talk about blockchain in abstract technical terms, we make it real by connecting it to ownership, wealth protection, and generational impact.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I’m extremely bullish on blockchain’s future. Beyond crypto, I see blockchain as the railroad technology of our time — the foundation for how we’ll exchange value, verify ownership, and build trust digitally.
In the next 5–10 years, I expect to see:
– Government records like birth certificates and property titles stored on blockchain.
– Increased institutional adoption, with Bitcoin and digital assets becoming standard portfolio holdings.
– A stronger focus on cybersecurity and digital wealth protection, as more people adopt blockchain but also face greater risks.
– A cultural shift where underrepresented communities are leading the way in blockchain innovation rather than being left behind.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://atlantachain.io/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AtlantaChain/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atlantachain/posts/?feedView=all
- Twitter: https://x.com/AtlantaChain
- Other: https://discord.com/invite/8s2qCE463h
